Grounding device



FlG.4.

F. PENNELL.

GROUNDING DEVICE Filed Sept. 2B, 1940 Flai'.

Dec. l, 1942.

INVENTOR. FORD PENNELL,

lWhere the latter is imbedded in which- 1 ling plate of section line 4-4 corresponding section line --0 of 'Passed me. 1, umV

UNIT-ED STATES PATENT OFT-lcs l. zoassi npplicaitnr: 32;; d B9 Clalms. (Cl. 174-3) to the grounding of telephone, lighting and other electric wires strung on poles and consists in a simple, effective grounding member which may be associated with the pole.

invention is Another object of the invention is to insure that the grounding device will be under pressure contact -with the ground and, preferably, at such depth that it will always be in moist earth, without depending upon the operator properly imbedding the grounding device, as is required the earth separately from vthe pole.

Another object is to form a grounding device which is light in weight and which may be readily stacked one on top the other in a storeroom or in shipping and thereby reduce storage and transportation expense and diiliculties in handling.

These objects are attained by the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawing', in

Figure 1 is an elevation of a pole set in a suitable hole in the earth and equipped with the present invention. y

Figure 2 is a plan view of one form of groundsubstantially fiat section arranged for application to the bottom of the pole, as indicated .in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a similar view of another form of 'grounding plate corrugated for a purpose reterred to below.

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on the of Figure 3.

wires carried by the for the e'nd portion V upper attaching nails or secured thereto, a lug l with an opening i lfor receiving a grounding wire, as indicated at l in Figure 1. `A screw 1 threaded into one side of lug 4 serves to clamp the rod to the lug. The end of wire l may be connected to the wires to be grounded in the usual manner.

The plate ill shown in Figures 3 and 4 is pro#- vlded with a circular corrugation il and transverse corrugation i2 to serve to reinforce the plate while it is being handled and applied to the pole,` and corrugation i2 also provides a recess for receiving and forming an extended bearing of the grounding wire I3. The plate is perforated as indicated to receive screws and to provide for the drainage of water through the plate.

The plate 2l, shown in Figures 5 and 6, is pro. vided with a series of parallel, deep, chordal corrugations 2l extending vfrom edge to edge of the plate and substantially. increasing its surface area. One of these corrugations may receivethe end portion'of the grounding wire 2l and the upper portions of the corrugations may be perfov rated, as indicated lat Il, torecelve nails, screws,

Figure 5 is a similar view of another form of t corrugated plate.'

-Figure 6 is a transverse sectionv taken on the y Figure 5. Figure 'I is a plan view of a skeletonized grounding plate.

Figure '8 is a transverse section taken on the section line 8--8 of Figure 7.

In Figure 2, `the grounding device is merely a nat plate l, preferably of copper or other readily conductive material, preferably provided with o s 1 whereby the plate may be nailed or screwed into the pole P, as indicated at 3 in Figure 1. The plate has braced, or otherwise or other attaching elements.

The grounding device shown in Figures and 8 consists of an elongated member Il forming an annulus 3i corresponding tothe circumference of the pole to which it is to be applied, and also portions bent elements 32.

strip or, as shown, it

The device may be formed of a dat may A,consist of an end portion of-a grounding wire I3 bent to the desired ngure and preferably then pressed into the dat section shown. Either construction increases area in contact with the ground Aand provides substantial rigidity for the device in packing and handling. Preferably, the elongated member has portions bent or looped one around the other, as indicated at 34, to rigidify the member and maintain the assembly of the meeting parts.

-In each form of the invention, be applied readily to the bottom of the pole, and when the pole is inserted in the lhole in .the ground the device will be thrust into contact with the ground by the weight of the pole and` there will be additional .contact area presided by the grounding wire extending upwardly alongside of the pole. The necessity of providing a substantially deep hole for holding the pole erect will insure the grounding device being placed at a suitable depth so that the moisture in the earth will contribute to the efiiciency of the grounding. As pointed out above, it will be unnecessary to provide a rigid rod which can be driven into the earth back and forth forming chordal the device may or to make a separate excavation tor burying a grounding plate or wire. The device is simple, economical and effective for its intended purpose.

The essential features of the device may be embodied in various arrangements other than those shown in the drawing. and the exclusive use of such modincations of the structure as come within the scope of the claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

l. As a new article of manufacture, a grounding device unit of the class described applicable in the iield to the bottom end of a transmission line pole and comprising a ilat member of metal having a high degree of conductivity of electric currents and corresponding in diameter to the diameter of a pole to which it is to be applied so that the member may be inserted with the pole into a deep, relatively smalldiameter hole in the earth and be pressed by the weight of the pole into contact with the earth at the bottom oi h hole, there being a grounding line secured to said member to extend upwardly therefrom for connection above ground to a wire carried by the pole, the member being corrugated transversely of its thickness to stiilen the member during shipping, storing and installation and to increase its surface area without extending the member beyond the sides of the pole.

2. A grounding device as described in claim l in which the grounding line has an end portion secured in one of the member corrugations and projecting outwardly and upwardly from the edge of the member.

3. A grounding device as described in claim i in which one of the corrugations is an annular corrugation adjacent the periphery of the member and another of the corrugations is disposed diametrically and the lower end of the grounding line is secured in one of the corrugations.'

4. As a new article of manufacture, a ground- 4 ing device unit of the class described applicable in the ileld to the bottom end ot a transmission line pole and comprising a fiat member of metal having a high degree of conductivity of electric currents and corresponding in diameter to the diameter of a pole to which it is to be applied so that the member may be inserted with the pole into a deep, relatively small diameter hole in the earth and be pressed by the weight of the pole into contact with the earth at the bottom of the hole, the member being corrugated transversely of its thickness, to stiifen the member during shipping, storing and installation and to increase its surface area without extending the member beyond the sides of the pole, the unit including structure facilitating assembly with the member of an end portion of a grounding line so as to assure substantial electrical contact between them.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a grounding device unit of the class described applicable in the field to the bottom end of a transmission line pole and comprising a nat member of relatively thin metal having a high degree of conductivity of electric currents and corresponding in diameter to the diameter' of a pole to which it is to be applied so that the member may be inserted with the pole into a deep, relatively small diameter hole in the earth and be pressed by the weight of the pole into contact with the earth at the bottom of the hole, the member being reenforced transversely of its thickness, to stiifen the member during shipping. storing and installation and to increase its surface area without extending the member beyond the sides of the pole,- the unit including structure facilitating assembly with the member of an end portion of a grounding line so as to assure substantial electrical contact between them.

BORD PENNELL. 

